This week we were admonished by James that we sin when we show partiality to some over others, whether they are rich or poor or different in any other way. Believers should extend mercy rather than harsh judgment to others. The sentence we used which summed up this teaching was: “Partiality is wrong because it usurps God’s sovereignty, it aligns you with God’s enemies, and it violates God’s law of love.”

​Group Discussion Questions

Read James 2:1-4Who is James writing to?

What is he concerned about?

Read Matthew 7:1 Many erroneously think, based on Matthew 7:1, that all judgments are wrong. Why is this view wrong (see Matt. 7:6, 15)?

Where is the boundary between godly discernment (which we all need) and ungodly judgment (which is sin)?

Read James 2:5-7 In what ways have you observed those who are poor to be rich in faith?

What reasons does James give for not favoring the rich over the poor?

Have you ever succumbed to courting the favor of those who don’t love God. When, why and what what was the outcome?

Read James 2:8-13Instead of showing partiality, what does James exhort the Christian to do?

When have I felt tempted to think of myself as better than another. What can I do to change that attitude?

​In what way have you observed the church having a problem with showing partiality. What should we do to change?